SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — An encampment that grew over the past few months has been removed off a highway on-ramp in Spring Valley.
Neighbors said they’ve reported the encampment for months to Caltrans but nothing was done.
On Wednesday morning, Caltrans crews were seen removing the encampment at Kenwood and the SR-94 west on-ramp in Spring Valley.
Pictures shared with CBS 8 show a large encampment with tarps, a couch, bags and more furniture on the shoulder.
A couple living in Spring Valley says this caused a dangerous distraction for drivers and for the unsheltered people and those who would stop and give them food and services.
Someone at a business that overlooked the encampment said there would be human feces in the parking lot.
Neighbors said this went on for months and nothing was done.
A spokesperson for Caltrans says they didn’t have the number on hand but says they are responding to several customer service requests regarding encampments across the region.
Caltrans says once they identify an encampment for removal it can take up to two weeks to work with outreach groups and a notice is posted at the site 48 hours ahead of the removal. Caltrans says that was done in this case.
Crews were also seen trimming the trees and doing landscaping after the area was cleaned up.
“I don't know do they were acting in my complaint or the previous complaint but the fact is that previously Caltrans did landscaping in that area and they weren't around the encampment and left the encampment there but that was a month and half ago,” said Michael Andelson, Spring Valley resident.
Caltrans says they responded because of the customer service requests they received.
The agency also says that after they collect belongings left behind at the encampment, people have 60 days to claim it and a number is posted at the site.
“I’m sure these folks need a lot of help but there is awful lot of help being provided from the state and county being in the freeway is good for them or people who use the freeways,” said Andelson.
CBS 8 saw many people heading southeast on Kenwood and heading toward the flood channel with their belongings.
We spoke to Michael McConnell, an advocate for unsheltered people, who adds that most of the time people are pushed from one place to another, not solving anything.
“As we all know there is not enough shelters and housing for people to go into,” he adds.
WATCH RELATED: Spring Valley residents say they've reported encampment to no response